M-S nabs first goal: Sectional crown

DECATUR — Mahomet-Seymour’s boys’ cross-country team on Saturday won its first sectional title since 1979.

Next on the to-do list: match the school’s best finish at state.

“Fourth is the highest (in 1995 and ’96) and if we have a great day I think we can finish that high,” M-S coach Neal Garrison said.

M-S secured its second consecutive trip to Class 2A state by edging rival Springfield. Jonathan Schaap finished second, Forrest Smoes third and Ethan Russell 11th to pace the Bulldogs, who also won a regional championship.

“This group knows how to win,” Garrison said. “They’ve set the tone for future years, where our program can be one of the best.”M-S was the only area team to advance. Danville’s Johnny Leverenz moved on by finishing fourth overall.

In the girls’ race, M-S finished fifth to qualify for state. Lauren Whitehouse was eighth and Abigail Nielsen was 16th to spark the Bulldogs.

St. Thomas More won its first sectional title, another sign the Sabers could contend in Peoria.

“If we run the best that we can, we certainly could be in the hunt,” St. Thomas More coach Dave Behm said.

The Sabers were sharp at Effingham, easily outdistancing Mount Zion for team honors. That’s what happens when five runners place in the top 25: Nick Hess (third), Jacob Helfrich (ninth), Sean Kelley (11th), Sam Powers (12th) and Brendan Remington (24th).

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